Keeping in Touch - Sisters of the Sacred Hearts ...
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keeping in Touch
sshjm
February 2020
2
Contents Page Number
Editorial 4
New life begins once more. 5
Received as Novices 6
Profession of First Vows 7
Profession of Final Vows Sr Lucky 11
Profession of Final Vows Sr Teddy 13
Effective Development 17
Our Home in Chingola 20
When Life gives you Lemons... 22
Big birthdays 24
Departure from Roscrea 26
Fire in St Patrick’s Open air School, Hayling Island 32
1929
Diamond Jubilees 36
Mother Winefride Tyrrell Award winner 2019 38
Thank you and Jubilee reminders 39
3
Editorial
2020 and we enter this New year with our hopes and prayers
fixed on the approaching Chapter; Joyful Bearers of the Word at
the Heart of our Fragile and Wounded World.
In this edition we have lots to thank God for; the evidence of
many years of service in Roscrea as well as individual milestones
in big birthdays and Jubilees. The witness to New Life is
inspiring with new members in all areas of initial formation and
the wonderful Final Vow celebrations of Srs Lucky and Teddy. A
new/old house opens in Zambia—what joy. In the midst of it all
life moves on as is witnessed in the article on development from
Lusaka and through it all lessons are learnt as Sr Siobhan teaches
us in her inspiring ‘lemon’ parable.
Remembering our past and linking in with it reminds us that
little changes but our tragedies can also bring blessings if we
allow the Lord to take charge as he did in Hayling Island over
ninety years ago.
I thought you might like the front cover photo and be inspired
like Sr Muda to launch out under the protection of the Sacred
Heart to pastures new. Remember - there is always a back seat so
you need never go alone. The question is; are you the driver,
navigator or are you just going along for the ride?
Love and prayers
Anne and Emma
4
Welcome to our three Candidates who are now under the care of Sister Judith
in Kasama (Judith’s photo is on the front of this years calendar).
Annie Mukuka Chomba who comes to us from Kasama , Zambia
Sheraphine Joyce L.Asingua has travelled all the way from Cebu to complete
this first phase of her formation in Zambia.
Monica Mbao is from Mbala in Zambia.
Here are the three with
Sr. Judith (who will
accompany them through
candidacy), Sr Yvonne the
Unit Leader and Sr Esther
Soko who accompanied
them through the ‘Come
and See’ programme in
Mbala.
5
Sr Flaviour Chomba Kasonda
and Sr Mary Chanda Lesa
were received as novices and
they join the novitiate to
begin their Spiritual year
together with Srs’ Felistus,
Fancy and Comfort who have
completed their apostolic
year of novitiate. We keep all
five in prayer and Sr Esther
Suico their directress.
Flaviour
Felistus Fancy
Comfort
Mary
6
Four Sisters made profession of First Vows in Lusaka in the newly blessed chapel.
Middle four; Sister Cecilia, Sister Beatrice, Sister Christabel and Sister Mary Goreth are
pictured here with Sr Jane Frances (Unit leader Uganda), Sr Esther (directress),
Sr Yvonne (Unit leader Zambia) and Sr Angelo from the Leadership Team.
Above; Sister Beatrice professing her first Vows
with Sr Angelo and Left; Sister Christabel
receiving the Congregational cross.
7
Left; Sister Cecilia signing the
Register.
below Sister Mary Goreth
also signing the Register.
8
My Soul Glorifies the Lord. The four newly professed sisters, Beatrice, Cecilia,
Christabel and Mary Goreth, singing the Responsorial Psalm during the Mass.
The choir sang with joy and enthusiasm and played drums, shakers,
tambourines, guitars and key board - wish I was there!
9
Sister Jane Frances
congratulating Beatrice
and praying she will
take her back to
Uganda on the next
flight—another party
there no doubt.
Above; Sister Yvonne joins the congratulations
on behalf of the congregation and looks just
like a proud mother.
Right; Srs Sylvia and Mary Goreth enjoying the
moment.
10Dear sisters,
Greetings of love and peace
from Zambia!
I hope everything is going well
for you all in this New Year.
There is an old saying that,
“God has only two dwelling
places, one in heaven, and the
other in thankful hearts”. Just
saying the words “thank you” is
a mighty powerful prayer. God
has given us 86,400 seconds in
a day – but how often do we say thank you? It is against this prelude that
I thank Almighty God for bringing us together as a congregation in
humble service for His greater glory.
Let me begin by thanking the Congregational Leader Sister Mary Mangan,
an eminent personality who deserves all our gratitude. She is a person
whose service is full of joy and with a love for those most in need. Sister
Mary, together with the leadership team and our country representative
Sr Yvonne, have a challenging vision for the future.
Sister Eileen, thank you for receiving my vows and Sister Lorna for the
love and support you gave us, may the good Lord grant you your heart’s
desire.
I also want to thank Sister Mulenga for her tireless effort in uniting us
and seeing to it that this profession was a success.
I would like to express my gratitude to the superior of our community
11here in Mbala, Sister Muda Chirwa for her leadership, guidance and also
for her untiring effort in organising this great occasion.
My novice mistress Sister Angelo for her spiritual accompaniment in my
years of intensive spirituality and
formation, I am proud of you Sister.
Further, I am grateful to all leaders of the
communities.
Novitiate, Lake Road, thanks a million for
the big surprise gift - you made my day,
God will reward you.
To you all, my beloved sisters in Africa
and overseas I say, “still waters run
deep”. Thanks for the support and
encouragement.
Yours in the heart of Christ
Sister Lucky Nambeye
12This was a wonderful and very joyful occasion. Two Bishops presided,
Bishop Christopher Kakoozai, Bishop of Lugazi Diocese and the Emeritus
Bishop was also present. There were six priests celebrating including Sr.
Teddy’s two brothers and her uncle.
Sister Trinitor welcomed everyone and led us through the ceremony
telling us what was going to be happening and the meaning of it. She did
an excellent job.
The Church was beautifully decorated by members of the Parish
Community. The choir had rehearsed all the hymns and made a joyful
contribution to the ceremony. A group of young boys accompanied the
processions with dancing.
Bishop Christopher gave a short, but meaningful, talk on the Gospel
words ‘Come, Follow me’ reminding Sr. Teddy that Jesus had called her to
follow Him and that was what she had said Yes to. Today she was now
promising to follow him for the rest of her life serving the poor as a Sister
13in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Sr. Teddy Nankumbi made her Perpetual Profession in my hands as the
representative of Sr. Mary Mangan, with Bishop Christopher standing at
the altar to witness her profession for the Church.
At the end of Mass I gave a short talk expressing our joy as we welcomed
Sr. Teddy into our Congregation.
Then the official photos were taken with Sr. Teddy and the Bishop.
Everyone involved had a photo with the Bishop which was very important
for them.
We then went outside to where tents had been erected for the continuing
celebrations. The weather was very hot (310 C) but dry. Since it was the
beginning of the rainy season this was a great blessing. The celebrations
went on for hours with dancing, drumming, singing and speeches. How
the entertainers kept up their dances and energy in all that heat was
beyond me, but they did.
14There was a lovely meal with plenty of food for all. Then the cutting of the
cake took place. Sisters from other Congregations, as well as ourselves,
took part in the ceremony to help Sr. Teddy with this task! As well as the
main cake which was cut and shared with all present there were a number
of smaller cakes which were given to different groups to thank them for
their part in the celebration. I was very impressed to know how all the
tasks had been shared out among the local community so that no one
person had too much to do. It was a great example of cooperation.
It was evening by the time we finally returned to Mukono. A long and
memorable day for all of us. Sr Lorna
15Sister Teddy with her parents in the Entry procession.
Dear Sisters,
Thank you all for all the prayers, Masses, support and all the gifts l
received from each one of you. May the good Lord bless each one of you.
Sr Teddy Nankumbi
16“Effective development and advocacy
for system strengthening”
Greetings from Lusaka where we are
experiencing climate change in a big way.
We have chilly mornings and evenings
which is unusual for September and daily
power-cuts for hours due to very low
water levels. In many areas people are
faced with starvation due to the poor rain
fall during the last rainy season. The good
news is that the forecast predicts above
average rain fall in all areas of Zambia this
coming rainy season. We wait, hope and pray that their predictions are
correct.
Recently I attended a meeting organized by Misean Cara The meeting
was opened by Mr. Seamus O’Grady Irish Ambassador for Zambia who
spoke of the impending hunger situations facing many people in Zambia
especially communities in rural areas. He said that reading accounts of
these situations reminds him of the horror of the famine in Ireland in the
1840s. That was a very bleak period in Irish history and like the present
situation here in Zambia it was man made. A sobering thought.
Also present were Mr. Mike Williams from Dublin who led the session on
“Misean Cara Mid-Term Strategy Review,” and Pauline Faughnan who
represented Misean Cara Board.
The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Andrea Cortemiglia Misean Cara
representative for this area of Africa. Throughout the meeting Andrea
with his friendly, calm disposition was able to simplify and explain some
of the complex and demanding concept from Misean Cara in both project
17proposal writing and in reporting back at the end of the project.
His performance was deeply appreciated by all.
Mr. Andrew Chongo gave a very inspiring input on “JCTR’s Approach to
Advocacy for System Strengthen” It was encouraging to know that we
have our own educated persons willing to negotiate with and challenge
the Government to bring about justice for the people of Zambia. Mr.
Chongo is an economist employed as a development officer with the Jesuit
Society to promote their mission for Justice and Peace.
Mr. William’s afternoon session was a research to elicit how our programs
are aiming to empower the people we work with to improve their
standard of living
He was eager to know if
there were other areas
Misean Cara could provide
funding e.g. emergencies,
but in the discussion that
followed Education,
Health and Livelihoods
remained the most
appropriate activities to
benefit the poor.
Emergency situations would require many extra skilled staff and
immediately available resources.
After the five days I attended the closing of the training workshop, held at
Bauleni Special Needs Project, for 33 community volunteer workers for the
Home-Based Education Program. Usually, visits by funders to the programs
cause a certain sense of anxiety but on that day my deepest wish was that
Mr. Williams and Pauline from Misean Cara were present at the
presentation of the certificates to the participants, whose passion to
18deliver what they had been taught to help the people with special needs
in their community was impressive.
From my experience, the effectiveness of community health workers is
almost impossible to describe. They were the back- bone of the Home-
Based Care Programs in the 1990’s when the suffering from HIV/AIDS was
horrific. At that stage we did not have anti-retroviral medications, there
was an inadequate supply of effective pain relief and food was extremely
scarce. The volunteers were there day and night to visit the sick and seek
help where ever possible to the help them and their care givers. These
present volunteers will now do the same for the people with Special
Needs in their communities.
This is the evidence that Misean Cara is asking for, impact that helps
improve the lives of the beneficiaries The other remarkable point in the
training was that it was facilitated mainly by the Bauleni staff who have
been dedicated to the program for many years They are now very
competent trainers as they are speaking from both a hands-on
experience and as qualified teachers.
Sr Elizabeth Mooney
19Our Home in Chingola, Zambia
At the request of Archbishop Banda, we have returned to 5 Pentagon
Chingola after an absence of 13 years.
From 1991 to 2006 the community at the Pentagon managed HIV and AIDS
programs in Chingola and Kitwe. That period was a bleak and painful time for
the people of Zambia, as the HIV epidemic was ravaging the country. HIV
and AIDS was only rearing its head in Zambia and treatment was not readily
available. There was untold suffering for the people and the Home Care
Program was the only support they received, as the hospitals were
overburdened with the very sick and had little medication to treat them.
Tuberculosis also became rampant when we thought we had conquered it.
Our exit in 2006 was due to complex and varied reasons beyond our control.
The memory of our good work then lives on and it is for that reason we are
now invited back to support and help the poor and vulnerable. Many
community programs no longer exist leaving a big gap in the support and
care of the poor and vulnerable. The most important thing needed is to be
with and support the people.
On 9th November 2019 Sisters Natasha and Elizabeth moved into the house
once the renovations were complete, they were soon joined by Sisters
Mervis and Felistus. “Our New Home in Zambia”. It is a beautiful five-
bedroom house, with a newly furnished kitchen, community room, dining
20room and a small prayer room. There is a accommodation for visitors in
the grounds. The grounds are big with fruit trees and rose bushes which
are in full bloom. Imagine, the sanctuary lamp on the wall was dusty with
cobwebs surrounding it but when dusted and switched on it lit.
It is a convenient place to be as there are good places for third level
education close by, so the Sisters can do their professional training and
live in community. That is a great blessing for the congregation.
In the past the community truly fostered many vocations to the
priesthood and religious Life. The priest handling the handover the of the
house became convinced of his vocation by attending the vocation club
organized by our Sisters in the house. A number of our own Sisters now
preparing to lead the congregation here in Zambia attended the same
vocation club, a good testimony to their dedication in promoting
vocations. So, the challenge today to the present community is to follow in
their footsteps and nurture good and faithful vocations to the priesthood
and religious life and to serve the poor and needy with compassion and
loving care.
I am sure you will join with us praying for God’s blessing on the mission
here in Chingola.
Chingola Mbala
Kasama
Lusaka
21I was a student nurse at an East London Hospital when we admitted a
sixteen year old secondary school student in the midst of completing his A
Level exams, which in England paves the way to educational success. Let’s
give him the name George. He was studying Chemistry, among other
things. As it would be Guy Fawkes day soon, when youngsters in the UK
like to set off fireworks, George and his friend decided to make their own.
They took an amber bottle from the lab, filled it with an assortment of
chemicals, guaranteed to give a successful explosion, and off they went.
On their way to set off the fireworks George’s friend said he had an
appointment for chest x-ray. So, they soon found themselves at the
hospital in a crowded waiting room. Fortunately, a nurse happened by and
saw the crowd. Wishing to reduce the number of people in the room she
asked if there was anyone there who was not waiting for an X-ray. As it so
happened our young friend was the only one fitting the bill so she escorted
him to an empty waiting room which was completely enclosed in glass
windows.
As he sat waiting for his friend, George was reading a magazine with the
image of Flamingos on the cover. This was to be the last image George
would ever see and for a long time it remained engraved on his memory.
While waiting and reading George had begun to rotate the bottle
inadvertently mixing its contents. Suddenly there was a great explosion.
All the waiting room windows were shattered and the shards of glass from
both bottle and window penetrated his young, perfect body. He was
blinded and covered with cuts requiring many sutures.
It soon became obvious George was blind and every hope was dashed
when the bandages were removed. I was standing at his side the day the
bandages were taken off and my heart broke for him and for his parents.
An only son, a student en route to University, it seemed in that moment he
had lost more than his vision. His entire future was in jeopardy. This was
a life blow such as one would dread for anyone we loved to have to
experience.
22Over the days and weeks that followed George and I became well
acquainted. He was very bright and had a good sense of humor. He knew
my footsteps and commented on everyone and every ward happening.
He wanted to know all that was happening around him and around the
hospital. Over the days I walked him to the ward’s veranda to get some
fresh air. Soon he was able to tell me how many steps it took to reach the
veranda or any other part of the ward.
The day his sutures were to be removed I happened to be on duty and the
task fell to me. I can’t recall the number of sutures but you can imagine
they were all over his face arms and torso. We chatted as nurses and
patients are in the habit of doing. Every time he winced I apologized … it
was so often he said he would call me Sister Sorry from then on!
He eventually went home to his parents, forever blind but young and with
the enthusiasm of youth, looking forward, not to bleakness, but with the
hope to life’s possibilities. The memory of this boy encourages me. He
found himself facing a future he had not planned.
As Sisters we have experience a different kind of loss but one that almost
halted us in our tracks. There were years when no one entered the
community and when many still were leaving. Then slowly women of
courage began to join us and we had the rich
experience of welcoming Sisters from Africa,
Asia and Central America as well as the UK
and Ireland.
Let us remind one another that the worst to
happen is not maybe the thing we dread
most. Let’s look forward to all our
possibilities which include not only our Sisters
renewing vows, two have just made final
vows in December , but also our relationships
with our Sisters in Federation and with our
Sacred Heart Companions.
Sister Siobhan
23Big Birthdays
Sister Simeon ,
surrounded by loved
ones as she
celebrated her 90th
birthday in 2019.
At last the wise old
owl has arrived!
24Sister Bridget McCourt is also joining the ‘nineties club’ and doing
it in style in her new community in Cork.
Of course the ‘leader-of-
the-pack’ is our dear
Sister Christine Hawkins.
At 98 she is counting the
days for when she can
enter the three digits.
Looks like she is going
strong and giving good
example to the
rest of us.
Thanks to Sr Annie Mary
and our wonderful staff
in Cork for all their care.
25Departure from Roscrea
The departure of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from
Roscrea, after a residency and service of 88 years, was indeed a most
poignant event in the history of our Congregation. The final day came on
16th November,2019 with the celebration of a Mass of Thanksgiving and
Reparation in the parish church of St. Cronan. The chief celebrant was the
Most Reverend Fintan Monaghan , Bishop of KiIaloe. The nine co-
celebrants were the four priests of the parish, the neighbouring parish
priests and two priests from Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Dom
Malachy Lynch, Abbot, and Dom Laurence Walsh, former abbot. The Mass
was particularly emotional for Dom Laurence, a native of Roscrea, who has
known Sean Ross Abbey and the Sisters throughout all of his ninety Years.
A large congregation of parishioners, Companions in prayer, Service
Personnel (including many retired), friends and relatives supported Sister
Mary Mangan and the twenty-one SHJM Sisters who were able to attend.
26It was a great realisation of community, friendship and grateful
remembrance. The parish choir embellished the celebration and added
gusto to our opening and final hymns, O Sacred Heart of Jesus and The
Salve Regina.
Bishop Fintan’s homily and Sr. Mary Mangan’s address recalled the two
services rendered at State request – The Mother and Baby Home, 1931-
1970, and the St. Anne’s Service for Persons with Special Needs,1970 and
continuing. Both the Bishop and Sr. Mary Mangan had been personally
deeply involved with the latter service. The Bishop’s own brother with
special needs lived at St. Anne’s for some years. The Bishop gave
outstanding praise to the Sisters for their care and kindness
He called Sr. Mary Francis (RIP) “the Mother Theresa of her day”! He was
equally aware of the delicacy and confidentiality required of the Sisters in
caring for unmarried mothers and their babies. That work continued right
up to the last “minute” at the Lodge, when a man phoned, out of the blue
for information on his father who was born at Sean Ross in 1960. We
directed him to TUSLA keeper of our records. Sr. Mary gave a resume of
27the expansion of provision for adults as well as children, and all the fund
raising that entailed. On Mother’s Day in 1990 Sr Mary announced that
she was extending the services to include care for adults. This was best
ever Gift given to the listening mothers! Both speeches, the Bishop’s and
Sr. Mary’s delighted the hearts of all present.
After the Mass and the picture-taking tea, coffee and delicious finger
food were served in the Scouts’ Hall across the road from the church. The
Scouts’ service was impeccable. During this happy gathering Sr. Mary
Mangan presented Mr. Jim McManus with a special award in recognition
of his 27years as head teacher at St. Anne’s Special School. Jim had really
absorbed our charism and made it live in the school and in the minds and
hearts of staff and pupils alike. Sadly poor health has suddenly overtaken
Jim and forced his early retirement. We keep him in our prayers and wish
him well.
At the end of all those
celebrations Sr. Mary
Mangan led the Sisters
to the Sisters’
cemetery and to the
Babies ‘ cemetery to
bid them all a fond,
prayerful adieu. Both
cemeteries remain in
the possession of the
SSHJM and a contract is in place for their maintenance.
Prior to the church ceremonies the St. Anne’s Care Staff organised a Mass
and Party at the Villas, especially to thank Sr. Brigid for her 38 years of
dedicated service with them. The reception room was packed with Users,
care staff, admin and maintenance staff, and catering staff.
28Fr. Tom Corbett celebrated the Mass. I shall never forget it! Once Fr. Tom
began silence descended on the room. It was remarkable. Not a noise or
distraction! All the prayers were recited reverently by the whole group.
The hymns with lively music accompaniment were sung lustily. It felt as if
Jesus was present walking in our midst. It was a deep spiritual time. Fr Tom
is very good with the special needs people. After the Mass there was a
great party, delicious food, songs, chat, flowers, cards and gifts. Sr. Brigid
now has a gorgeous book full of pictures. Sr. Margaret and I were delighted
to see Sr. Brigid so honoured. God bless the Users and the Staff.
Sister Brigid Finn
with some of the
young residents of
St Anne’s, taken
some years ago
when Brigid was
still active in the
services.
A footnote!
Sr. Margaret spent 17 years at Sean Ross Abbey. Her assignment was
challenging, arduous and heavy with responsibility. Her leadership qualities
were appreciated in community and beyond. She had a full exposure to Irish
life with all its inuendoes. God grant her peace and joy in Colwyn Bay.
Sr Brigid was familiar with Sean Ross Abbey from childhood when she visited
her cousin, Mother Brigid who had returned from our mission in Australia.
Sr. Brigid slept in Sean Ross Abbey the night before she entered Chigwell.
29What a host of memories the place holds for her!
Negotiations to purchase Sean Ross Abbey began in 1929 the year I was
born. My grandfather was on the committee supporting the opening of
the Mother and Baby home in the Midlands. His daughter, Sr. Redempta
entered Chigwell in 1931 the same year that the Sisters took up residency
in Sean Ross Abbey. She was followed six years later by her sister, Sr.
Kieran Marie. In time both sisters became midwives! Sean Ross Abbey
played an important role in my family as the years rolled on. Farming
issues were shared with my father. My parents were advised by the Sisters
on care for Patricia, my special needs sister. My mother and siblings were
comforted on the sudden death of my father. For me it was a tremendous
grace to be able to wake Patricia in the lovely chapel in The Lodge.
Praise God for all His loving care!
Sr. Mary Simeon
Sisters Margaret and Simeon (bottom left) with friends, SHC’s
and parishioners at the reception after Mass.
30Sister Catherine Murphy (above) and
Sister Simeon were treated royally in
Cork community on Feb 2nd 2020 as
they celebrated their Platinum
Jubilee of consecrated life. We are so
very proud to present them
continuing to celebrate their life-long
commitment and giving a wonderful
example and witness to us all
especially those who are starting off
in initial formation.
31fire in st. Patrick’s oPen air school
hayling island 1929
Sister Celestine Harrington RIP
This is a part of our history that many sisters are unaware of and it is important to
remember the commitment and bravery of those who went before us.
In 1929 we were still a very young congregation but were at the listening heart of
the Church and society. We had several schools in London’s East End and in other
large cities in the UK and we knew well the diseases of the slums, the poverty
which affected the weakest members, particularly the children. Pollution was
high, malnutrition common and diseases like measles and TB were killers.
In those days there were no antibiotics and doctors prescribed ‘fresh air’ and a
‘healthy diet’ as the best treatment available.
Our response, together with the education authorities in London, was to establish
an ‘Open Air School’ on the south coast of England for girls from the inner city
areas of London. The children were referred there by the doctors and education
authorities. There was plenty of rest, fresh sea-air and a good diet, far away from
London’s contamination.
St Patrick’s Open Air School officially opened in February 1928. Mother Lawrence
RMG sent 8 sisters to start, with Sr. Celestine as the acting superior. The following
year it was agreed with the authorities also to accept boys under the age of nine.
The school had a capacity for 70 children.
Sr. Celestine, (Sara Harrington) was born in Tipperary, Ireland in 1874, one of a
large family of thirteen children, ten of her brothers and sisters emigrated to
America. Sara entered our congregation in 1897 and made her first profession of
vows in 1899. She was nurse by profession so would have been considered
competent in caring for the needs of the sick children.
In St Patrick’s school the children spent as many hours as possible in the fresh air,
bedrest also was, when possible, outside and one of the first entries in the log
book, April 26 1928 reads; reading lessons taken on the beach as often as possible
from today.
32In the first week of August 1929 the community and the school received a visit
from Rev. Mother Lawrence. In those days children did not go home for holidays
and although they did not have formal classes, the sisters found other ways to
entertain and keep them occupied. There were, at the time 58 resident children,
seven sisters and three or four resident maids (according to the newspaper
reports).
There was back then limited access to banking and it is probable that RMG
brought money or cheques for the community with her. For that reason it was
possible that there was more money in the house than usual.
Mother Lawrence returned to Chigwell on the 8th of August in order to be in the
Mother House for her feast on the 10th.
In the early hours (approximately 1.30 am) of the 9th, less than a day after
Mother Lawrence left, a fire broke out in the east wing of the house and very
quickly the sisters called the fire services and roused the children from their
beds, some of the little ones, and those who were physically disabled had to be
carried to safety. The children were used to fire drills so the exercise, for many of
them, was simple and exciting as they thought it was just another drill. Some of
the dormitories directly above the flames quickly filled with smoke and the
sisters had to fight bravely to save some of the little ones. The children were
taken down to the beach and shortly after neighbours came to help and took
them to their home where they passed the remainder of the night. Few if any of
them realised how close they were to death.
The sisters remained with the children but Sister Celestine, after she was sure
that everyone else was safe and accounted for, went back into the house
without informing anyone. She went to the superior’s office which was next to
the Chapel, some say she went back to save the Blessed Sacrament – but we will
never know. Her charred remains were found outside the door of the superior’s
office and there was a quantity of money and valuables at her side. The fire
report says that she must have been overcome by fumes and collapsed.
The Fire service people and the authorities praised the heroic work of the sisters
“they were brave and cool and their influence over the children was wonderful”.
33The sisters were very upset on hearing what happened to Sister Celestine but
maintained a calm with the children so as not to upset them further.
News arrived early in Chigwell and by 7.30 a.m. Mother Lawrence, together with
Mothers Antonia and Lucy, travelled by car to Hayling Island taking clothes for the
sisters – I am sure that clothes for the children would be easily available but
sisters habits less so.
The whole country was shocked by the event which was reported in both the
national and catholic newspapers, hundreds of masses were offered for the
repose of the soul of Sister Celestine and many donations received to help rebuild
and repair the damage.
One remarkable event happened;
A Mrs Weguelin read the report in the newspaper and went to Hayling Island
where she gave a gift of £100 to RMG (a large sum of money in those days).
Shortly after, Mrs Weguelin donated her own house to the sisters to replace the
school in Hayling Island. This very generous gift was accepted and became Mount
Olivet, St Dominic’s Open Air School for boys which continues today although not
as an open air school. They have just celebrated the 90th anniversary of the arrival
of the first students. (the school is now owned and run by another group).
The school in Hayling Island was quickly repaired and continued for many years as
an Open air School for Girls until 1972. Some of you will be interested to know
that our Congregational Leader, Sr. Mary, and Sr. Anne Kieran taught in the school
from 1967 to 1971, it was their first teaching appointment.
Some of these historical memories remind us of who we are and that we haven’t
changed that much.
Of course the moral of the story is that God can make great things happen out of
what we consider a disaster.
In November past the family of Sr Celestine RIP held a 90th anniversary memorial
Mass in the church in Havant, the mainland parish to which Hayling Island belongs
and where our sisters’ grave is situated. Sisters Anne Kieron and Angelo Roncalli
represented the congregation and are pictured here by her graveside, Sister
Marcela O'Connell RIP is also buried in the same grave
34I have since discovered that Sister Bertha who was aunt to Sister Margaret
Dobbin (now in Colwyn Bay) was also in St Patrick’s at the time of the fire. Sr
Margaret remembers her telling that after the fire she sat in the garden in her
dressing-gown writing letters to the parents of the children to let them know
that their child was safe and well and not injured by the fire. Many of us
remember Sr Bertha, she was a very small woman with a very big character. She
spent more than 50 years in Hayling Island—many of them as the headteacher.
We also know that she was sent there following surgery and was only expected
to live for 3 months—she was well over 90 when she died.
Sr Bertha
Headteacher
Above; Sr Anne Kieran and Sr Angelo at the anniversary Mass in November.
Right; a very young Sister Mary Mangan enjoying a moment on the beach.
Mount Olivet , St Dominic’s
Open Air School
35Congratulations Sister Alexander
36Congratulations Sister Margaret
37At Last the award arrived in Cebu with Sisters Eileen and Mary Ita and the
celebrations started once again. We congratulate Sr. Anne for your
dedication and generosity in Cebu you are an example to us all.
Below left; Srs Odette, Shiela,
Marrisa and Luela.
Front row ; Srs Mary Ita, Eileen
and Anne
During the visit Sr. Luela (above right) renewed her vows and Sisters Eileen and
Mary Ita had the joy of visiting the projects and meeting with the staff and
service users. They returned back in Chigwell tired but delighted with their visit.
38Thank you
Dear sisters,
We would like to give our sincere gratitude to you, for the love, care,
support and generosity that you rendered to us on the day of our First
Profession of Vows. The day was made colorful because of your hard
work and cooperation. First and foremost, we thank the organizers of
the decorations, catering, singing, the Readers in the Mass, and
finally all of you who were with us in spirit.
To you all we say thank you very much and may God send you all the
graces you need.
With love and prayer,
Sisters Beatrice, Cecilia, Christabel, and Mary Gorreth.
Reminder
28th August
50 Years - Golden Jubilee 60 Years - Diamond Jubilee
Sister Maureen Gavin
Sister Margaret Dobbin
Sister Catherine Burns
Sister Mary Costello
Sister Mary Ita
70 Years - Platinum Jubilee
Sister Nora Hogan
Sister Sylvester
Sister Jane de Chantal
39Editorial Team:
Sister Anne Griffin & Emma Shaw
Chigwell Convent,
803 Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge IG8 8AU
Tel/Fax: 020 8506 0359
Email: communications@sacredheartsjm.org
For private circulation only
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